Is EES the same as ETIAS?

No. EES records you at the border (passport, face, fingerprints, dates); it costs nothing and needs no application. ETIAS is a paid online authorisation to apply for before travelling, not in operation yet.

Do British travellers go through EES?

Yes. UK nationals are non-EU nationals for EES and are registered on their first crossing, unless they hold a Withdrawal Agreement residence document or another residence permit issued by an EES country.

Are passports still stamped?

Not in the countries using EES since 10 April 2026. Cyprus and Ireland still stamp passports manually.

EES: the EU's Entry/Exit System, and what it changed

EES is not something you apply for. It is the electronic register that replaced passport stamps at the external borders of the Schengen countries. It started gradually in October 2025 and has been fully operational at every external border crossing since 10 April 2026.

Who is registered

Every non-EU national coming for a short stay (up to 90 days in any 180 days), with or without a visa: British, American, Canadian, Australian travellers included. Not EU, Icelandic, Liechtenstein, Norwegian or Swiss citizens, not nationals of Andorra, Monaco and San Marino or holders of a Vatican passport, and not holders of a residence permit or long-stay visa.

What happens at the border

On your first crossing since EES started: passport scan and facial image, plus four fingerprints if you do not need a visa (visa holders gave theirs with the visa application). Part of it can be done at a self-service kiosk or in advance where available.
On later crossings: a face or fingerprint check against the existing record.
The system counts your days automatically and flags overstays of the 90/180-day rule.

The EU runs an official "Check how long you can stay" tool and a "Travel to Europe" app on travel-europe.europa.eu.

EES and ETIAS

EES came first; ETIAS is to follow and will add a paid pre-travel authorisation (€20) for visa-exempt travellers. Until then, visa-exempt travellers need nothing extra before travelling: EES happens at the border.

Updated 30 September 2026. Fees and country lists checked on the official government sites on 30 September 2026. Rules change: the official site always prevails.

EES: the EU's Entry/Exit System, and what it changed

Who is registered

What happens at the border

EES and ETIAS

EES questions

Official sources